In Belgium
Vita Siyo Muchezo Ya Watoto brings together twenty-three people from different backgrounds on stage. Three actors and a musician from Congo and Burundi, nine Belgian actors and ten asylum seekers. Together, they wish to write a new story about humanity in a world overflowing with contradictions, opposing interests and doubts, without fear of tackling taboo subjects. Brussels theater woman Frédérique Lecomte, artistic director of the Théâtre & Réconciliation company, went to Goma last summer with nine Belgian actors in its wake, including the face of KVS Valentijn Dhaenens. Goma, located in eastern Congo, a region rich in highly coveted natural resources, has been ravaged for years by the violence of a war for which many child soldiers have been and continue to be recruited. Lecomte creates theater there with, by and especially for local communities. The objective of their trip? To take Belgian actors out of their comfort zone and put them in contact with the world of actors with whom they share the stage and with former child soldiers. An encounter and artistic collaboration between very distant worlds, literally and figuratively. Together, they put on a show that was both moving and humorous about how people from different parts of the world, although each steeped in their own context and history, approach and live the conflicting reality.Vita Siyo Muchezo Ya Watoto was finally presented seven times, in Goma and the surrounding area, in the open air, in front of hundreds of spectators. Now the show will take place in Brussels. And Frédérique wonders if it is possible to transmit the same message when the context changes completely? Frédérique Lecomte has staged, in Belgium and abroad, resounding shows, with a theatrical language of her own which is structured around authenticity, vulnerability and disarming humor. For more than fifteen years, she has also been performing theater in a conflict zone on the border of the DRC, Rwanda and Burundi.
war is not child's play
vita siyo muchezo yawatoto
Director: Frédérique Lecomte Music: Jean Claude Minani With: Léonard Berthet-Rivière, Jean Coers, Valentijn Dhaenens, Emilienne Flagothier, Jean Marie Kabanza, Patricia Kargbo, Jean Claude Minani, Prosper Nduwayo, Do Nsoseme Dora, Marie-Charlotte Siokos, Bibi Van Lieshout, Eva Zingaro-MeyerDRC: Jonathan Baibonge Mulwa, Elia Baibonge, Mapendo Bazungu Martha, Kidume Dieumerci, Deborah Kahindo, Bushiri Kalume Mande, Cecile Kavira, Brave Kilonfu Mulengetsi, Ishara Maboko, François Misangu Byemba, Muhindo Kamate Purchase Price, BXL: Mohammed Almafrachi, Sekou Coumbassa, Ewout D'Hoore, Hadjiratou Diallo, Ousmane Diallo, Anne Kilubusha-Banakayi, Mariam Kourouma, Koné Oulaymatou, Sonia Byby Sona, Bintou Touré, Aissé TraoréDramaturgy: Ewout D'Hoore, Yves Wellens, Kristin RoggheScenography and costumes: Christine MobersCostume design : Divin Efsiba, Marion Galisson Lighting design: Mohammed Sultan Daaboul Assistant Director DRC: Juliette Damien Production director: Miek Scheers, Tamara Gullentops Technique: Steven Brys, Patrick Van Neck Logistics DRC: Claude Amini, Papy Chimalamungo Miruho DRC translation: Jean Marie Kabanza, Prosper NduwayoPhotography: Véronique VerchevalProduction: Théâtre & Réconciliation, KVSIn collaboration with: Center Des Arts Scéniques, Ret International - Goma, Ritcs, ENSAV La Cambre, Fedasil, Central, Médecins du MondeWith the support of: The Brussels Capital Region, WBI, Fédération Wallonie- Brussels, Performing Arts Service of the Province of Hainaut